Sunday, March 2, 2014

March 2 (Reuters) - NATO Secretary-General
Anders Fogh Rasmussen convened an emergency meeting of NATO ambassadors in
Brussels on Sunday to discuss the situation in Ukraine. Ahead of the meeting he
issued the following statement:

I have convened the North Atlantic Council
today because of Russia's military action in Ukraine. And because of President
Putin's threats against this sovereign nation. What Russia is doing now in
Ukraine violates the principles of the United Nations Charter. It threatens
peace and security in Europe. Russia must stop its military activities and its
threats. Today we will discuss their implications, for European peace and
security, and for NATO's relationship with Russia. Afterwards, we will meet in
the NATO-Ukraine Commission. We support Ukraine's territorial integrity and
sovereignty. We support the right of the people of Ukraine to determine their
own future without outside interference. And we emphasize the need for Ukraine
to continue to uphold the democratic rights of all people and ensure that
minority rights are protected. Ukraine is our neighbour, and Ukraine is a
valued partner for NATO. We urge all parties to urgently continue all efforts
to move away from this dangerous situation. In particular, I call on Russia to
de-escalate tensions.